irtSS
AND YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE.’*-^Iofanviii, SB.
ssasaBBsss
CHARLOTTE, N. C., THU
VOL.XLVni.
THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF MEN IN THE CHURCH
(Report on Men's Work Made to the Afro-American Presbyterian
Council In Session in Detroit, Mich.) ;
By Rev. Wn. Lloyd fates, D. D.
'■My Fellow Workers:—
' - Our" Committee has struck
first, iwe think, at the hardest
lot all matters to evaluate—the
spiritual life with all that it
means. It falls to my lot as
chairman of Men’s Work for our
Council this year to try the task
of describing our successes and
failures, our hopes and our mis
givings, in the realm of men,
and their facing the Christian
.gospel in active life.
First, I have had the unusu
‘ al privilege of talking with a
great many pastors tof our
churches, especially with our
> brethren who fellowship with
this: Council, on this question.
Almost without exception, these
A ' have felt that while
is no room for boosting,
there is every reason for
_rj, regarding the spiritual
ike of the men in the Church.
1 Pastors are getting Christian
service out of men today, where
a decade ago they had well nigh
despaired of it. Bible classes,
, Brotherhoods, Men’s Clubs, and
the like are the external evi
dence, but there is also an in
ternal evidence, and that is to
be found in the confidential,
heart-to-heart exchanges of pas
tors who know their men at
dose range and feel that as men
re have a laity now ready to
lenge the best that is in
us >s their spiritual leaders,
while*, we and they together as
Christian brethren view the im
mense stretches of unconquered
territory before us in spiritual
things.
do* our
jgajg
think, .first, that their hope is
justified because the predomi
nant appeal of Church manhood
is for a religion of reality over
against mere ritual. Men are
keen judges of fact as opposed
to fancy. Perhaps it begins in
childhood when the boy asserts
boldly that he no longer believes
in Santa Claus, while his sister
of quite as many years or older
than he, still dings touchingly
to fairyland and legendary lore.
Menmay sin by being too cold
and calculating but their meth
od has its use quite as well as
the poetic type of thinking, and
our men have certainly brought
with them into religion this
gift of clear-headedness, and an
uncompromsing desire for real
ity*
Again, our pastors have noted
a real growth in Bible knowl
edge and information among the
' men of the Church. The Bible
Class movement among some of
our Eastern churches recently
culminated in a stirring interde
nominational convention of
Presbyterians with Methodists
and Baptists and other denom
inations at the historic city of
Philadelphia. This is but one of
the indications—and we suppose
such experiences may easily be
duplicated out here by our mid
Westem brethren—that the on
ward march of Bible study,
equipping even pur humblest and
least privileged brothers for liv
ing the Christian message as
well as telling it, will complete'
ly win the men of the Church.
The general statistics are en
couraging when we learn that
among those churches report
ing to our Men's Work De
partment, two but of every three
churches of our denomination
haye definite Men's Bible Class
es; and that ratio is probably
fairly certain for all the Church
es.
, Not alone m Bible study,
which heads the list in popular
ity, but. in other phases of ser
vice we find better activity than
we might have expected.
Ih Evangelism 1 out of 6.
In Boys’ Work 1 out of 4.
Every Member Canvass 1 out
of 8.
Brotherhood Work 1 out of 5.
It may be argued that these
statistical facts are so relative
and conditional that they do not
furnish such ground for opti
mism, as we suggest. But, for
all that, they do show the
trend of Our men's life in the
Church, and the lines of their,
work whiqji are being steadily
promoted. It is' evident, too,
that the present strength of
men’s work lies basically in ^Bi
ble study through Men's Bible
Classes. This is our greatest
hope, and foretokens a stronger
Church for the future.
Again, the pastors with whom
I have recently talked feel that
the men of their churches are
slowly but surely coming to the
conviction that there are cer
tain things which are obligatory
upon them as men. This is nat
ural, and should have always
been emphasized. We. are all
familiar with the division of
work in a well ordered home, in
which mhn has duties which he
can better perform, and likewise
woman has duties for which she
is better fitted than man. So in
the Church it seems peculiarly
fitting that men Bhouid take
leadership of boys’ groups and
help them in their scouting, ath
letics, clubs, woodcraft, etc. In
these activities men find congen
ial ground and certainly the re
sults described by pastors to me,
and those I have myself observed
in my church work, are an in
spiration and a prophecy. One
thing seems clear in this phase
of Men’s Work, namely: the fact
that unless we can get men to
take such leadership of growing
boys wholeheartedly and devot
edly,_we need not expect the
growth of Ws into mathiy^l
manly character, with the adda
beauty of the spirit of Chrif «»
indwelling.
Most of our churches face the
terrible lack of men to teach
junior and intermediate boys in
the church school classes, but
even with that lack there are
men to volunteer for the work
with boys outside the immediate
sphere of religious education.
There is no opposition to the
various programs of athletics,
club work, etc., now to be found
on every hand. There is, how
ever, a deeper note needed, and
without which all the boys’ club
work in the world can never
train up a new generation after
the likeness of Christ.
Finally, we must admit that
men do not do all they might
in winning other men to Chris
tian discipleship; this part of
spiritual work whch is so neces
sary to robust Christian life
ought to claim much more of
our study, effort and consecra
tion than it ordinarily receives.
There is a feeling among pastors
now that merely enlisting the
men of the Church at Lenten or
other evangelistic seasonal meet
ings can not fully suffice. The
steady training for year-round
personal work, and regular ser
vice must somehow replace the
old seasonal idea. We shall prob
ably always use the seasonal
services; that form is well es
tablished, and has its practical
as well as logical justification.
But men must become workers
of steady-going and constant
power to win others to their
Lord. Here we reach one of the
fountain sources of growth in
grace and knowledge.
These things your committee
would suggest for the spiritual
life of our men in the church:
Emphasis upon the Bible stu
dy through Men’s Classes.
Training of xnOre men teach
ers for boys’ classes in church
schools.
urging men leaaers oi coys
clubs to magnify the Christian
life and purpose by word and ex
ample.
Recruiting men by constant
personal discipleship; counting
not only the seasonal meetings
but the entire Christian year as
our field of opportunity to win
other men to Christ.
BAST TENNESSEE SYNOD.
Meeting according to appoint
ment with the Bethesda Presby
terian church at Johnson City,
Tenn., on Wednesday evening,
October 20, 1926, the Synod of
East Tennessee listened to the
retiring Moderator’s sermon de
livered by Rev. Jesse B. Barber,
of Chattanooga, Tenn. Rich in
diction, clear in thought and log
ican in arrangement the sermon
was typical of the messenger
and worthy of the occasion. It
niade a great impression. Th^,
text was Phil. 3:14, "I press to-,
ward the mark.”
Following the sermon Synod
was constituted according to
form. Rev. J. H. Byers, D. D.,
pastor-host, and Elder A. B. Reid
of the Shiloh church, were elects
ed . Moderator and Temporary
Clerk respectively. Dr. Baker
was appointed Vice-Moderator.
Addresses of welcome were
delivered by Hon. W. B. Ellison,(
Mayor of the city, Prof. C. E.
Rogers, superintendent of the
schools, and Rev. R. M. Jones,
pastor of the A, M. E. Zion
church, who represented the
ministry. All of the addresses
were very happily delivered^
The welcomes extended were
not only assuring but made the
Synod feel that it .was a good
thing to meet under such unusu
al conditions and such refresh
ing environments. A most fit
ting and praiseworthy response
was delivered on behalf of the
Synod by Dr. 0. J. Baker.
The reports of the Standing
Committees were creditable.
With hardly an exception they)
showed painstaking preparation^
Phases of National Missions!
were presented by Revs. Wm.
Sample, Vanhorne Murray, W.
If. Franklin, D. D., C. E. Tu#.
er D. D., and Miss Maud A: Em1
iburgh, the efficient Dean of
Barber College. These were
ably supplemented by the ad
dresses oi Dr, J. M. Gaston, Sec
retary and Treasurer of the Di
vision of Missions for Colored
People, and Mr. A. G, Lamont,
the Board’s architect, who was
accorded the privilege of the
floor.
Rev. J. H. Byers, v. u., rean
the report on Christian Educa
tion. Pending the adoption of
the report Dr. George P. Horst,
the Board's representative, de
livered an address that was elo
quent in its presentation. Syn
od was captivated by the mat
ter as well as the manner in
which the subject was present
ed.
Ministerial Relief and Susten
tation was taken care of by Rev.
B. C. Hood of Big Stone Gap,
Va., and Dr. W. A. Provine, the
latter speaking for the Board.
Considerable interest was man
ifested by the brethren in the
discussion of this subject.
The report on Foreign Mis
sions was a very representative
document. It evidenced the
thoroughness that is character
istic of the chairman, Dr. W. C.
Hargrave. In connection with
this report Synod went on rec
ord as appreciating the appoint
ment of Dr. A. B. McCoy to re
present the Board and our group
at the conference in Belgium. It
also took becoming notice of
the reported “open door” to Af
rica for representatives of our
group in the Presbyterian
Church, U. S. A.
Dr. S. a. Downer, chairman
of the Committee on Program
and Field Activities, made the
report for the committee. In
the report special emphasis was
placed On Stewardship. Synod
was urged to take its accepted
quota more seriously, to use
every legitimate means to raise
its full share of the budget, to
select a benevolence committee
in each church, and to forward
money raised for this particular
purpose to the Central Receiving
Agency each quarter. Dr.
James G. Bailey, Editor of the
Presbyterian Magazine, followed
the report with a strong and ear
nest plea for a broader view ai
the aims of the committee. He
stressed evangelism.
Popular Meetings
popular meetings were
One was under the direc
of the Synod. |The other
under the auspices of the
odical Woman’s Missionary
Both were inspiring,
the former addresses were
by Drs. Horst, Gaston
Provine. Miss Kinniburgh
:e for “Barber” and the
of Christian Education,
’s quartet, composed of
Met: A. B. Rqid, Revs. J. J. Fos
ter, J. B. Barber and S. A. Down
er, helped with the music for,
evening. At the latter
ing the missionary ladies
things in their characteristic
Ion. The interest was high
the financial response was
The collection was
something over fifty dollars.
t Ethel Means Downer is the
President of the Synodical,
ring the sessions the fol
lowing were accorded seats as
corresponding members: Drs.
J. |M. Gaston, George P. Horst,’
W| A. Provine, J. G. Bailey, A.
J. jtloy, Revs. J. J., Foster, R. M.
Jones and S. A. Downs.
j&t the final roll call tjie follow*
ing were absent without excuse :
Keys, George E. Cooper, M. J.
Jones, R. Mayers, S. T. D., and
Chas. A, Edington, Ph. D.
^ Appropriate resolutions of
’ s and appreciation were
ted. The resolutions were
fuse in their praise of the
hospitality of the members and
friends of the church who en
tertained the Synod so royally.
Inlmany respects the entertain
ment was the best the Synod
has enjoyed in quite a while,
The next meeting of the Syn
od -will be held at the Shiloh
Presbyterian church at.JKnox
Tenn.
S. A. DOWNER,
Stated Clerk.
COtH/TER memorial ^
ACADEMY NEWS.
By Miss Maggie L. Brewer -
Recently Coulter Academy has
been honored as she is seldom
honored. Several of the most
distinguished people of the
Presbyterian Church have vis
ited us.
On the afternoon of October
15th the faculty and students
of Coulter had the pleasure of
listening to a most wonderful
address delivered by Dr. J. G.
Bailey, of New York, who is the
Editor of the Presbyterian Mag
azine. Dr. Bailey especially em
phasized kindness. He also laid
great stress on making the best
of all opportunities. He visual
ized his speech in a very force
ful manner. Dr. Bailey's
speech was immensely enjoyed
and his thoughts will long re
main in the memory of those
who heard him.
Dr. C. J. Baker, of Atlanta,
Ga., also spoke to us October
15th. VVe are always glad to
have Dr. Baker with us. He al
ways brings great inspiration.
Rev. John M. Gaston, D. D.,
Secretary of the Division of
Missions for Colored People of
the Board of National Missions
of the Presbyterian Church, U.
S. A., visited us recently, and
also Mrs. Gaston and Mr. and
Mrs. Lamont.
We were glad to have Dr. XU.
J. Baker stop over with us on
his way from the Atlantic Syn
od. He preached a noble sermon
here last Sunday morning. His
text was found in Jeremiah 32:
11-12. Dr. Baker's sermon was
full of striking pictures. The
entire congregation was much
uplifted by Dr. Baker’s mes
sage.
The faculty and students are
striving to raise money for a
band. Many efforts have been
put forth for this purpose. A
few weeks ago the people of
Cheraw epjoyed a wonderful
program given by the musical
talent of the city. This program
was under the auspices of miss
W. N. Gillespie and Dr. J. V.
Hanna.
Recently the school gave b
very successful fair for the pur
(Continued on page 4)
By Joetta Stinson
, Barber is proud of tie new:
shades in the Chapel They add
much to the attractiveness of
the room.
Last Saturday everybody was
busy preparing for Hallowe'en,
and at the same time expecting
visitors : Dr. and Sirs. Gaston
and two friends. At 7:30 the
party was in full swing. Eerie
lights, witches, goblins and
black cats prevailed. The din
ing room was transformed into
a perfect hallowe’en bower. Ap
ples and doughnuts hung down
ftoiirthe ceiling to be .bitten and
snatched down.
In ca#ie Hallowe’en people in
masks and quaint gowns. The
most admired costumes were
two worn by the teachers repre
senting the Martha Washington
type. However, many and pret
ty were the costumes * worn.
During- the festivity the guests
came down amid cheers and
yells. They were soon Teal Hal
lowe’en folks. '
Ida Scott Cooper told a real!
“boogey’I story with the lights1
off and the fantastic gleam of
candles. • •' : •
All participated in a grand
march, singing the Berber
Booster and receiving at the end
cider and doughnuts which were
eaten, hole end all. Then all re
tired to their rooms to awake on
the Sabbath in an entirely dif
ferent atmosphere. The Seniors
conducted the party.
Miss Harbison was here for
a few hours’ visit Monday eve
ning and spoke in the dining
room about some of her mission
work. Barber hopes that she
will come again and stay long
er. . ..
Dr. and Mrs. Gaston and Mr.
and Mrs. Lamont were present
Tuesday ;in Chapel exercises.
Mr. Lamont made a very inter
esting talk on architecture,
which is his profession. Mr. La
mont is architect for the Board
of . National Missions, and has
designed a number of buildings
on our field, the first of which
was the administration building
at Haines Institute. Through
his talk the Barber girls caught
a new vision of the vital mean
ing oi the art of building..
Much happiness came to all
whp heard Dr. Gaston tell that
he ahd Mr. Lamont were view
ing Barber with the idea of se
lecting* spots for three new
buildings. These buildings will
be: science hall, administration
building and music hall. Dr.
Gaston plans that the adminis
tration building shall be started
in the near future.
Barber girls and faculty were
sorry to bid the guests good
bye but still remembered to re
peat the custom of waving and
singing to them, “God be with
you till we meet again.” Barber
was proud of these guests and
hopes that they Will soon be
back again.
The library has just'received
a generous supply of books from
friends, including many books
of fiction. One of the finest ad
ditions is a beautifully bound
and illustrated Nature Library.
A generous audience greeted
the Sunday vesper concert which
was the first of the year. The
program was as follows:
1. “By the Waters of Baby
lon”—Neidlinger-—Chorus.
2. Violin Solo — Selected —
Miss Esther Shaw.
3. “Oh, Lord, Most Holy”—
Marchetti.
4. Selections by Quartet.
5v “Lead, Kindly Light”-—
Schnecker—Pauline Donnell and
Chorus. .
6. Piano Solo — Selected-—
Miss Young.
7. “Search Me, O God”—
Emerson—Choir.
8. “Deep River”—Burleigh
—Chorus.
9. Spiritual.
10. Recessional and Bene
diction.
Monday afternoon the faculty
with their guests went up intc
ithe woods to
lunch/An,
noon was rei
Monday , n
served Open 1
receiving the
era on the cleanliness. and beauty
found in the home.. The first
College cooking class served re
freshing glasses ot.fruit .punch
and wafers.. / ..
Self-government is one of the
most recent steps of progress
that Barber has made. The ex
ecutive. board consists -of • a
President, Vice-President, Secre
tary, class Presidents and' Pres
idents of campusorganizations.
The adoption of the code and
constitution, drawn up bjrthe
executive board, was Unanimous.
The following day -Roosevelt
Lee, President,said,“The order
in the building has been perfect
since yesterday.’"' ; \ ; * f
Thelma Miller, Vice-President,
and therefore head proctor," has
her hapds full, btttwithfhe co
operation 1 of the "Student body
she is working' very definitely
toward her aim ahdh fdeafefor
order: * * *
Dr. Gaston was very favora
bly impressed with this hew
phase of student life at Bar
ker. It is the hope “ of every
‘Barber Booster” that. Student
Government will continue to be
i success and that minds. and
nearts will grow, broader each
lay through learning better and
better the high law of governing
self." ' • . ? ' ; -
.Self-government cannot _ fail
if Barber girls live up tp .their
code: “The ideal Barber Cbllege
Young Woman is thoughtful of
tier obligation to help,, establish
and maintain high spiritual, so
cial, and moral standards. 1*o
this end:
“1. She* is loyal to Bei
awiw;
her every statement.
“2. She is loyal to others; in
being so, she makes it her duty
to see that right' things pre
vail. . . •,
“3. She is scrupulously hon
est in all her* domestic'duties, in
scholarship and in 'examination.
“4. She conducts herself in
such a way that she can be hon
estly willing to have every girl
in school and in the community
adopt her standards. She ^dis
plays at all times a beautiful
and gracious spirit”, t, *;•
Anniston, Ala.
DR. J. E. JACKSON'S. SER
VICE IN THE SOUTHWEST.
Rev. J. E. Jackson, D. D.r Syn
odical Evangelist of Atlantic
Synod, conducted revival meet
ings in the Southwest during
the months of September and
October, giving each church one
week of his services.
Beginning with some of our
churches in parts of Oklahoma,
he reached Little Rock, Ark., on
the 4th of October and remained
untij the 11th. - During that
time he conducted a series of
meetings in Allison’s Chapel to
the edification and inspiration of
all who heard Tiim. He is well
adapted to. the. evangelistic
work. We wish: he could have
remained wjth us longer
than one week. From Little
Rode Dr. Jackson went:to Pine
Bluff and from Pine Bluff to Cot
ton Plant. At each of these
places he rendered good service
in the short length of time,
The Canadian Synod needs an
evangelist who can give his en*
tire time to the work of evangel
ism and who can stay longer
than a week on a field.
Little Rock, Ark.
PRESBYTERIAL district
MEETING.
.. Thera wilj be a.Gatawba Pres
byterial Distxict meeting at
Ben Salem' Presbyterian church,
Saturday, November 20th, at
10 A. M. A full attendance is
urged from all local societies.
MRS. CHAS. H. SHUTE,
G. E. CAESAR.
Leader.
MRS. G. E. DAVIS,